This week, hundreds of thousands of young people
from all over the world have been with Pope Francis at the 31st World Youth
Day event in Krakow, Poland - here are some photos, many taken by the young
people from St Albans and their friends.

It was hot, it
was lightly raining - but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of around
million young people gathered in Krakow's Blonia Park this evening. They
watched him on big screens as he travelled across the city in a tram, with
a group of disabled people. Then there was a roar of appreciation and much
flag-waving as the Holy Father processed through the crowds to the stage
in his popemobile.

The event began with a series of dance and musical performances from
countries around the world - Poland, India, Latin America, North America,
Asia, Australia and Africa. This was followed by a tableaux depicting saints
from the five continents, and then a parade of flags from all the 178 countries
represented this year.

The Gospel reading was Luke's account of Jesus' visit to the home of
Martha and Mary

In his reflection Pope Francis advised everyone to share God's merciful
love by building bridges and by tearing down barriers, walls and barbed wire.
"Mercy has a youthful face" which can move us beyond our comfort zones and
make us ready to embrace everyone." he said. "A merciful heart is able to
be a place of refuge for the homeless, sharing bread with the hungry and
welcoming refugees and migrants."

Recalling the legacy of Saint John Paul II, who began the tradition of
World Youth Days, Pope Francis praised the "enthusiasm, dedication, zeal
and energy with which so many young people live their lives." He warned
them not to be tempted by "dark paths" or to "run after peddlers of fond
illusions."

Instead, he urged them to be like Mary, Martha's sister in the Gospel
reading, who made space to listen to Jesus in the midst of her busy life.
The Pope told the young people to imitate Mary of Bethany and Mary of Nazareth
by welcoming Jesus, by helping the poor and by listening attentively to other
cultures and peoples, "even those we are afraid of because we consider them
a threat".

It was hot, it was lightly raining - but that did not dampen the enthusiasm
of around million young people gathered in Krakow's Blonia Park this evening.
They watched him on big screens as he travelled across the city in a tram,
with a group of disabled people. Then there was a roar of appreciation
and much flag-waving as the Holy Father processed through the crowds to
the stage in his popemobile.

The event began with a series of dance and musical performances from
countries around the world - Poland, India, Latin America, North America,
Asia, Australia and Africa. This was followed by a tableaux depicting saints
from the five continents, and then a parade of flags from all the 178 countries
represented this year.

The Gospel reading was Luke's account of Jesus' visit to the home of
Martha and Mary

In his reflection Pope Francis advised everyone to share God's merciful
love by building bridges and by tearing down barriers, walls and barbed wire.
"Mercy has a youthful face" which can move us beyond our comfort zones and
make us ready to embrace everyone." he said. "A merciful heart is able to
be a place of refuge for the homeless, sharing bread with the hungry and
welcoming refugees and migrants."

Recalling the legacy of Saint John Paul II, who began the tradition of
World Youth Days, Pope Francis praised the "enthusiasm, dedication, zeal
and energy with which so many young people live their lives." He warned
them not to be tempted by "dark paths" or to "run after peddlers of fond
illusions."

Instead, he urged them to be like Mary, Martha's sister in the Gospel
reading, who made space to listen to Jesus in the midst of her busy life.
The Pope told the young people to imitate Mary of Bethany and Mary of Nazareth
by welcoming Jesus, by helping the poor and by listening attentively to other
cultures and peoples, "even those we are afraid of because we consider them
a threat".